I was reading the account of the temptation of Jesus found in Matthew 4 and it dawned on me that we can easily offer the same challenges that Satan offered to the Lord.
Matthew tells us, The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”(vs. 3) Have you ever demanded that God provide something for you, immediately? Surely never in public prayer and maybe never in your prayer time. But how about in those "off the record" talks you have with God or about God? Maybe it was a good thing like a job, but you still weren't willing to wait for God's timing. Jesus has the same answer to you and I that he had for the Deceiver. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (vs. 4) Maybe we need to be reminded that God is enough and His word is enough. His word tells us that He provides everything we need. Do we trust Him or do we push?
Then Satan said, “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’(v.6) Have you ever stood on a cliff in your life that your bad choices led you to, and challenged the Lord to catch you as you threw yourself down? We challenge God's wisdom and power and His identity and we say, "if you are God, get me out of this mess I've made!" God can fix our messes, but our attitude is important! Are we throwing ourselves in chaos and wanting relief from the consequences? Or are we truly wanting to turn back to Jesus? Jesus answered the Devil and us with, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' (v.7)
Satan then laid his last challenge at the feet of Jesus. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (v. 8,9) There are times when you and I want the best of the world and the best of the Kingdom. But we can't have both. We try to set ourselves up as God and command the Lord to bow down and worship our every whim and grant our every desire. The same message goes for us that Jesus delivered to Satan. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (v.10)
Don't be like Satan. Don't turn and leave Jesus when you realize you are standing in the Desert taunting the Savior. Fall at His feet and repent. Allow the Spirit through the Word to convict and change you. Don't let the next temptation of Christ come from you.
